Monday, December 21, 2009

Inglourious Basterds was always a conversation starter. But we didn't expect it to start this conversation. Mélanie Laurent is actually a man!

Actual screenshot (with web menu removed, highlight and "oops" added)

Best Supporting Actor, eh? We always thought it was an odd strategy to position Laurent right out of the Oscar race by vying for Lead Actress. But this is even crazier gambit. Oscar voters do have eyes, you know!

I'm joking. As far as I know Mélanie is still a woman but thanks to readers RJ and Jim T for pointing out this error on theWeinstein Co website. I'm sure someone will fix this pronto but for now let it stand as an amusingly literal and/or satiric demonstration of the absurd modern flexibility for Oscar categorizations.

I suppose Harvey in his infinite wisdom think if those Up in the Air gals can both get nominated why not my gals? It is a shame as it will probably back fire but if either Laurent or 'can't believe I am saying this ...Kruger gets nominated over St Julianne of the Moore. Then truly it stinks.

Not every film can have two Best Supporting Actress nominees, Weinsteins. Just because Nine isn't panning out (poor Judi), doesn't mean you can push another pair at us at the last minute that you should have pushed harder, sooner. I buy Laurent as supporting. It's an ensemble picture, and she's no more lead than Pitt or Waltz. If we're going with Laurent and Pitt as lead, then Waltz is the category fraud.

Shoot. I totally forgot about Waltz in my Best-Of Actors post. It's too late to edit now. I screwed up big time. How the heck do I spin this mistake?

I'm happy that they are finally rectifying her category placement, but I think its too little, too late now. I never understood the point of placing her in lead anyway (I know it was to avoid internal competition with Diane Kruger, but I can't think of many people seeing the film and liking the latter over the former. Vote splitting wouldn't have been an issue, IMO). I'd love for a miracle to happen and see Laurent get nominated anyway, because I thought she was brilliant.

Now if only they start campaigning Marion Cotillard for Supporting Actress (or Actor)... then they'd have two strong candidates in their hands. Mo'Nique could be toppled with either of those girls in my opinion. O TWC...

Well, if there was ever a movie to justify confusing lead and supporting, it's Inglourious Basterds. Tarantino's are always tricky to classify! Honestly, I wouldn't object to either categorization for Melanie Laurent, although ironically, the movie's performer with the best chance of winning-- Christoph Waltz-- is one who's most clear to me. Frankly, I think he should be in Lead.

Today, I had a crazy thought. What if Tarantino pulled a crazy move and cast a man in drag as his lead female and didn't tell anyone just to screw with people's gender perceptions? Obviously, that's not true, but it would be hilarious.